The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IDH Court) extended precautionary measures in favor of Monsignor Rolando Alvarez lakes and orders the State of Nicaragua to release him immediately. The request for the extension was made, on June 23, by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).
It stresses that the adoption of these measures is because the bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa “is in a serious situation of irreparable damage to his life, health and personal integrity.”
Related news: They ask the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to extend measures for Bishop Álvarez
It indicates that with the arrest of the prelate, the dictatorship of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo is “configuring” a series of risk factors that endanger the life, health and integrity of the religious.
The notification of the provisional measures, according to the Inter-American Court, was sent this Wednesday, June 28, to the State of Nicaragua. It also maintains that “this situation is aggravated because —Álvarez— would have been sentenced to the perpetual loss of citizen rights and the loss of Nicaraguan nationality, which places him in a situation of extreme vulnerability.”
On the other hand, the Inter-American Court ordered the Nicaraguan regime that “while the necessary administrative procedures for the immediate release of Monsignor Álvarez Lagos are completed, proceed to guarantee dignified treatment through immediate access to adequate health services, medicines, and food.”
It also requires the judicial authorities to facilitate contact with the religious’s family and their lawyers. It also warns that this order may not be used to delay the release of the beneficiary.
Related news: Three months have passed since the last time Bishop Álvarez was seen
The Court granted a period until July 7, 2023 for the State of Nicaragua to inform it about the situation of Monsignor Álvarez, “in light of the measures adopted to comply with this decision.”
On June 25, Monsignor Álvarez completed three months since the last visit his family made to him in the Jorge Navarro Penitentiary System, known as “La Modelo”, in Tipitapa, where he has been held since February 9, after he refused to be exiled along with 222 former politicians.
The Ortega court sentenced the also apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Estelí to 26 years in prison, plus the loss of his nationality, for alleged conspiracy against the country. He has kept him deprived of his freedom since August 4, 2022.
